Review: ‘Balenciaga’ by Akash (with Fetty Wap & Lisa Mishra) is Nothing to Write Home About

If you have kept abreast of the happenings in hip-hop-specific Instagram tabloid outlets such as “Rap”, you would have noticed a recurring pattern in static image posts of American artists like Offset, NLE Choppa, and DJ Khaled spotted with a “mysterious unknown artist”. The artist in question is Akash Ahuja, a New York-based songwriter and rapper of Indian descent. Aside from the guerilla marketing to garner interest in this seemingly out-of-the-blue outsider photographing himself with hip-hop juggernauts, fans were also quick to question whether Akash is just another “industry plant” or if there is something larger at play.

His latest release “Balenciaga” has caught the attention of social media users for featuring the American hip-hop sensation Fetty Wap. To keep things straightforward, this track — which also features Indian pop mainstay Lisa Mishra and is produced by Delhi-based MadStarBase — is barely anything to write home about.

“Balenciaga” — a superficial ode to being draped “head to toe” in, you guessed it — begins with a dulcet and rich line delivered in Hindi by Mishra. Right off the bat, you’re given a taste of what this song expects to achieve, a global collaboration between Indian and American pop. Immediately afterward, however, Akash attempts to serenade the listener through a bland, emotionless tale of a casual relationship in pursuit. The introductory verse is forgettable, in equal parts due to the overproduced vocals and the lackluster lyricism. While Lisa Mishra’s single Hindi hook is a welcomed relief from the rest of the track, it is quite literally the only contribution the Mumbai-based singer offers to this project.

Towards the later third of this song is where Fetty Wap’s verse begins which is a surprisingly concise feature with Fetty continuing to lyrically court the girl in question. His voice and flow work incredibly well with the fluid, trap beat provided by MadStarBase — which is the most unique aspect of “Balenciaga.”

This track offers the minutest glimmers of what a large-scale international collaboration could provide from an Indian perspective in beat production. However, the lack of originality in subject matter and lyricism coupled with the forgettable vocal treatment will keep “Balenciaga” from having any repeat value.

“Balenciaga” is out on all streaming platforms. The official music video of the track is scheduled to drop on Friday (October 13) night.